Barcelona is gearing up for a challenging La Liga match against Real Sociedad at Montjuic Stadium in the 26th round of the Spanish League. Currently, Barcelona tops the league with 54 points, while their archrivals, Real Madrid, sit second with the same points but trail on goal difference.
According to Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” Barcelona is actively working on strengthening its squad for the next season, with club president Joan Laporta focused on one key objective: signing AC Milan’s striker Rafael Leao.
Leao is Barcelona’s main target, and the club is determined to make this deal happen. However, Milan is asking for over 100 million euros for the player, which poses a challenge for Barcelona. To lower the cost, Barcelona has proposed including Ferran Torres in the deal. Torres, who has not been a regular fixture in Hansi Flick’s plans, may help reduce the total cost of the transfer. Milan showed interest in Torres during the previous winter transfer window, making a potential agreement more feasible. Milan is looking to bolster its attack and believes Torres has the skill and experience to fit into their offensive setup.
Since joining Milan in 2019, Rafael Leao has become one of Europe’s top strikers, known for his speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability. These attributes have made him a sought-after player, with Barcelona among the clubs keen on signing him.
Laporta sees Leao as a key player to lead Barcelona’s attack alongside young talents like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. However, the main obstacle remains his price, with Milan unwilling to sell for anything less than 100 million euros, a significant challenge given Barcelona’s financial difficulties.
Ferran Torres joined Barcelona in January 2022 from Manchester City for approximately 55 million euros. While he has had some strong performances, he hasn’t secured a regular starting spot. His role has further diminished with the arrival of Hansi Flick, leading the club to consider his departure. Including Torres in the deal could help Barcelona negotiate a deal with Milan for Leao, but they will still need to make a substantial financial commitment to complete the transfer.
